Oct 2, 2012

Vietnam’s coaching staff are preparing their players to go that extra mile during the AFF Suzuki Cup by introducing daily 10-kilometre runs along the beach at their training camp.

Dylan Kerr, the team’s fitness coach, revealed that the 25-strong squad would jog on the Nha Trang sands during the training stint from October 2-13.

National coach Phan Thanh Hung is determined to improve the players’ stamina and tasked 45-year-old Kerr, who is part of the coaching set up at V-League team Khatoco Khanh Hoa, with whippng the squad into shape.

"I want the strength of the players to be maximized. Only then can they display their best possible skills," said Thanh Hung.

Vietnam, AFF Suzuki Cup champions in 2008, have enjoyed a good build-up to this year’s tournament with an away victory over titleholders Malaysia and a draw with 2010 runners-up Indonesia.

They will continue their preparations with home matches against Indonesia (October 16) and India (October 19).

Vietnam will meet co-hosts Thailand, the Philippines and the winner of the qualifying tournament in the AFF Suzuki Cup from November 24-December 1.

Hosts Myanmar, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos and Timor Leste will vie for two qualifying spots with the first matches scheduled for Friday (October 5) in Yangon.http://www.affsuzukicup.com/